Visceral leishmaniasis and HIV-1 co-infection in southern France.

Between 1986 and 1993 visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was diagnosed in 50 adult patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection (8 females, 42 males: 31 intravenous drug users, 11 homosexual or bisexual men, 6 heterosexual individuals, 2 blood recipients) from 5 hospital centres in southern France. Diagnosis of VL was by demonstration of Leishmania and isolation of promastigotes by culture in Novy-McNeal-Nicolle medium. Leishmania isolates were identified by their isoenzyme profile in 28 patients. All the patients were immunocompromised when VL was diagnosed. Their median CD4 cell count was 25 x 10(6) (0-200). However, only 21 patients (42%) fulfilled the 1987 CDC criteria for the acquired immune deficiency syndrome before VL developed. Fever (84%), splenomegaly (56%), hepatomegaly (34%), and pancytopenia (62%) were the most common presenting features. Clinical signs were lacking in 10% of patients. Anti-leishmanial antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 26/47 cases (55%). Combining these techniques with Western blotting (WB) gave a positivity rate of 95%. Amastigotes were demonstrated in bone marrow aspirates in 47 cases (94%). Unusual sites for parasites were found in 17 patients (34%), mainly in the digestive tract but also skin and lung. Viscerotropic L. infantum zymodeme MON-1 was characterized in 86% of cases. Dermotropic zymodemes MON-24, MON-29, MON-33, and a previously undescribed zymodeme MON-183, were isolated from 4 patients. The response rate to pentavalent antimony was 50% and to amphotericin B 100%, but clinical relapses were noted in both groups. In endemic areas, VL should be considered as a possible opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Intensive chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation in ovarian cancers: analysis of 67 patients treated at the Paoli-Calmettes Institute and a review of the literature]. / Chimiothérapie intensive avec autogreffe de cellules souches hématopoïétiques dans le cancer de l'ovaire: analyse de 67 patientes traitées à l'institut Paoli-Calmettes et revue de la littérature.

Despite important initial chemosensitivity, advanced ovarian cancer has a bad prognosis with a median survival of 20 to 30 months. These results might be better with intensive chemotherapy. We analysed 67 patients treated by intensive chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation for advanced ovarian cancer at Institute Paoli-Calmettes between 1980 and 1994. Population was divided in two groups: salvage group (n = 30) for initial chemotherapy-refractory patients and consolidation group (n = 37) for sensitive patients. Several successive conditioning regimens were used, all based on alkylating agents. Principal toxicities were severe aplasia and mucositis. Four patients died from toxicity related to infection during strong immunosuppression. In salvage group, 9 out of 21 evaluable patients responded (43%), but duration of responses was short (median range of 5 months) and 2-year overall survival rate was 8% after transplantation. In consolidation group, 19 patients are alive and 15 are without disease progression with a median follow-up of 42 months (17, 161) after diagnosis. Five-year disease-free survival rate is 28% (median range of 35 months) and 5-year overall survival rate is 48% (median range of 41 months). Intensification does not seem to be long term beneficial for initial chemotherapy refractory patients, despite objective responses rate better than classical treatment. On the other hand, results seem better than conventional treatments in case of chemosensitive disease and should be confirmed prospectively in larger cohort of patients. Moreover, other research directions are open like intensification supported by hematopoietic growth-factors and peripheral stem cells, definition of best conditioning regimen, use of taxanes, and intensification in first line chemotherapy after initial surgery.

[Plasmacytoma of the head of the pancreas: a rare cause of cholestatic jaundice]. / Plasmocytome de la tête du pancréas: une cause rare d'ictère cholestatique.

A case of plasmacytoma of the head of the pancreas in a 75-year-old woman, revealed by obstructive jaundice, is reported. The tumor, which compressed the main bile duct, appeared to be round on sonographic and endoscopic retrograde cholangiographic investigations. Sonographically guided needle biopsy was performed but led to the erroneous diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Choledochojejunostomy and gastrojejunostomy were then performed but the patient died 10 days after the operation. Pathological examination of the specimens obtained at autopsy showed that the pancreatic tumor (as well as an other osseous lesion) were plasmacytomas with cells containing G immunoglobulins of the lambda type. Despite the failure of needle biopsy to lead to correct diagnosis in this case, the potential value of this method remains unequivocal as reported previously. Indeed, when positive results are obtained by this method in visceral localizations of plasmacytoma, hazardous surgery may be avoided and radiation and/or chemotherapy may be chosen preferentially.

[Primary melanoma of the esophagus]. / Mélanome primitif de l'oesophage.

The authors report 2 cases of primary melanoma of the esophagus, and describes the clinical, endoscopical, radiological and histological features from these exceptional tumors. Prognosis is very poor, despite various therapeutical possibilities.

[Meningoradiculitis revealing an occult medulloblastoma-PNET in an adult]. / Méningo-radiculite révélant un médulloblastome-PNET occulte de l'adulte.

Neoplastic meningitis as the presentation of occult primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is occasionally described in children. We report the case of an 64 year old-man who presented a meningo-radiculopathy with progressive injury of the cauda equina and then the ocular motor nerves, revealing an occult medulloblastoma-PNET.

[Immunodepression and pulmonary infections]. / Immunodépression et infections pulmonaires.

The acquired immunosuppressed states are increasingly numerous. Pneumopathies are a frequent, serious complication and etiologic diagnosis is often difficult. The nature of the micro-organism in question is a function of the immunizing type of deficiency. In neutropenias, the infections are primarily bacterial, their potential gravity being correlated with the depth of the deficiency into polynuclear, or fungic, especially in prolonged neutropenias. The aspleened states are responsible for a deficit of the macrophage system and contribute to the infections with encapsulated germs (pneumococci, klebsiellas...). The organic grafts imply an attack of cell-mediated immunity, in the particular case of the auxiliary T lymphocytes (CD4)), with a special predisposition for viral and fungic infections. During VIH infection, the immunizing deficit of CD4 lymphocytes worsens with time. At the early stage, the infections are especially bacterial. At the more advanced stages, the pulmonary pneumocystosis and tuberculosis dominate. At the late stage, finally, deep immunosuppression allows emerging of the atypical mycobacteries. In the deficiencies of humoral immunity (congenital hypogammaglobulinemias, lymphoid hemopathies B), the germs to be mentioned are the pneumococcus, Haemophilus influenzae, the salmonellas and the legionellas. Immunosuppressed pneumopathies are characterized by radio-clinical pictures of very variable gravity, ranging from focused acute pneumopathy to bilateral diffuse pneumopathy with acute respiratory distress syndrome, with phases of atypical tables with respiratory symptomatology larval or absent. The highlighting of the micro-organisms in question requires urgent complementary investigations: hemocultures, bronchiolo-alveolar washing. In certain cases, it will be possible to resort to the transtracheal puncture or transthoracic puncture guided by tomodensitometry, and if necessary to pulmonary biopsy under videothoracoscopy. Emergency of the anti-infectious treatment imposes, in general, a presumptive treatment directed according to the immunizing deficiency in question and etiologic suspicion. It will be associated, if necessary, with urgent measurements of respiratory intensive care.

[Immunologic thrombopenic purpura and HIV infection in heroin addicts]. / Purpura thrombopénique immunologique et infection HIV chez les héroïnomanes.

The authors have studied the clinical aspects and mechanism of the thrombocytopenia observed in heroin addicts in the light of recently published data. This relatively frequent complication of intravenous drug addiction must be related to the immunological disturbances caused by carriage of the HIV virus. The evolutive characteristics of thrombocytopenia in such cases and the therapeutic implications of this association between thrombocytopenic purpura and acquired immunodeficiency are discussed.

[Cytomegalovirus myeloradiculitis in pregnancy]. / Myéloradiculite à cytomégalovirus au cours d'une grossesse.

INTRODUCTION: Cytomegalovirus neurological complications are frequent in immunocompromised patients specially in HIV positive patient. In immunocompetent patient these complications are infrequent. EXEGESIS: We describe a case of cytomegalovirus myeloradiculitis during pregnancy in a 25-year-old woman, HIV negative. The evolution was favorable with foscarnet therapy. CONCLUSION: A spinal complication during cytomegalovirus infection in immunocompetent patient should lead to a therapy with a specific antiviral to reduce neurologic involvement.

[Bone localizations disclosing Hodgkin's disease. Apropos of 11 cases]. / Localisations osseuses révélatrices de la maladie de Hodgkin. A propos de 11 observations.

The authors report 11 cases of Hodgkin's disease in which the first sign was due to bone involvement. Such observations are rare and raise diagnosis delays (Means: 5, 6 months in this series). Modern medical imaging techniques (scintigraphy, CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging) are very useful to an earlier diagnosis which will be better confirmed by lymph node biopsy given the poor information yielded by osseous cytology and/or histology. The elective localisation in bones belonging to the axial skeleton seems to support the hypothesis of a contiguous osseous involvement from lymphoïd organs in contact with bones. Evolution with chemotherapy and radiotherapy is very similar to that observed in patients without bone involvement.

[Bone marrow aplasia related to ticlopidine]. / Aplasie médullaire associée à la ticlopidine.

The authors report two cases of bone marrow aplasia observed 2 months after initiation of a treatment with ticlopidine. The outcome was favorable after discontinuation of therapy. The frequency of this severe drug-induced complication seems to have been underestimated. The absolute necessity of a careful haematological survey during the first 3 months of therapy is pointed out.

[Massive necrotizing adenitis complicating a disseminated herpes simplex virus 2 infection in chronic lymphoid leukemia]. / Adénite nécrosante massive compliquant une infection disséminée à herpes simplex virus 2, au cours d'une leucémie lymphoïde chronique.

We report a case of a 68 years old male patient treated for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, presenting a right inguino-crural tender lymphadenopathy with periadenitis. The histologic changes associated with adenitis were large foci of necrosis with regular crown of epithelioid cells, without giant cell. The presence of Herpes simplex virus 2 was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and culture. Occurrence, physiopathology, clinical and histological aspects of Herpes simplex lymphadenitis in patients with haematologic disorders, are discussed.

[Central and peripheral nervous system motor conduction rate in HIV infection]. / Vitesses de conduction nerveuses motrices centrales et périphériques dans l'infection par le VIH.

In order to assess the central motor pathways of HIV-infected patients motor evoked potentials were recorded on the upper limbs after transcranial and cervical magnetic stimulations and compared with peripheral conduction velocities. Motor evoked potentials were measured on both sides of 28 patients, mostly at the AIDS stage. Our results showed that although peripheral neuropathy was often found, central motor pathways did not appear, at the level they were tested, to be directly or indirectly damaged by the virus. On the contrary, some hyperexcitability seemed to be present.

[Portal hypertension in schistosomiasis (author's transl)]. / L'hypertension portale d'origine bilharzienne.

Pathological and clinical features of the portal hypertension in schistosomiasis are reminded. The value of the para-clinical investigations (immunology, endoscopy, angiography and hemodynamic controls) is discussed. Medical treatment is limited to parasiticidal action but an attempt to prevent the formation of granulomas by use of antilymphocytic serum has been reported. The surgical intervention is aimed at suppressing the splenomegaly and decreasing the portal hypertension. The indications of the various techniques are discussed (splenectomy, spleno-renal anastosomis associated with splenectomy, vascular porto-caval anastomosis, omentopexy, triple arterial ligation).

[Is drepanocitic trait asymptomatic? (author's transl)]. / Les porteurs du trait drépanocytaire sont-ils asymptomatiques?

With regard to its distribution the drepanocytic trait has a slight pathological incidence and does not appreciably alter the vital prospect. It is not, still, completely asymptomatic and may be, in special pathophysiological conditions, a morbidity and even lethality risk factor. Its connexions with various other diseases should be considered.

Myotax: a phase II trial of docetaxel plus non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin as first-line therapy of metastatic breast cancer previously treated with adjuvant anthracyclines.

AIM: Non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (NPLD) has demonstrated equivalent antitumour activity to conventional doxorubicin and a significantly lower risk of cardiotoxicity when given as a single agent or in combination with cyclophosphamide. This phase II trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of NPLD and docetaxel combination in patients with metastatic breast cancer previously exposed to adjuvant anthracyclines. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients received NPLD 60 mg/m(2) and docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) in a 21-day cycle as first-line therapy of metastatic breast cancer. Treatment was planned for six cycles and was continued until progression or toxicity. RESULTS: Objective response rate among response-assessable patients was 79% (95% CI (confidence interval), 64-94%) and 27% (95% CI, 11-43%) presented a complete response. Median progression free survival was 11.3 months (95% CI, 6.2-13.3 months) and median overall survival was 28.2 months (95% CI, 16-36.4 months). Symptomatic grade 3 cardiotoxicity occurred in 15% of cases and febrile neutropenia in 47% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of NPLD and docetaxel demonstrated high antitumour activity in a population of metastatic breast cancer patients exposed to adjuvant anthracyclines and showed an unexpected and unexplained 15% symptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction rate.